Absalon

Definition and Purpose Absalon was the code name for Denmark’s secret stay-behind network, a covert paramilitary operation established during the Cold War as part of NATO’s broader “Gladio” network. Its purpose was reported to be to prepare for a potential Soviet invasion by organizing a clandestine resistance force capable of conducting sabotage, guerrilla warfare, intelligence gathering, and evacuation operations behind enemy lines. Named after Bishop Absalon, a 12th-century Danish warrior who fought Slavic tribes, the network’s title reflected its 'anti-communist' mission, symbolically evoking defense against eastern threats.

Historical Context The stay-behind networks emerged post-World War II and were modeled after Nazi's werewolf units and the British Jedburgh units. The CIA, and NATO, spearheaded these efforts across Western Europe to counter the perceived threat of Soviet expansion. In Denmark, Absalon was established in the late 1940s. The network operated under the Danish military intelligence service, Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste (FE), with CIA and NATO support, and was a condition of Denmark’s NATO membership in 1949. It aimed to combat both external invasion and internal “fifth column” activities.

Structure and Operations Organization: Absalon was a small, elite network, reportedly limited to 360 core members to maintain secrecy. It was headquartered within the FE’s facilities, possibly at the Sandagergård data center on Amager Island. The network was divided into specialized units: LINDUS (intelligence), ROCK (sabotage and guerrilla warfare), ARGUS (observation and warning), and BLUE MIX (evacuation and rescue).

Leadership: E.J. Harder, nicknamed “Bispen” (Bishop), was a key figure, serving as Absalon’s chief for many years. Harder, who worked at NATO headquarters in France and Belgium (1966–1970), maintained close ties with NATO’s secret warfare planning. His fascist political views made him a controversial figure in Denmark.

Activities: Absalon’s tasks included training for unconventional warfare, stockpiling weapons, and establishing communication networks. It also monitored domestic activities, raising concerns about surveillance of Danish citizens. The network was allegedly involved in joint operations with Norwegian stay-behind groups, as discussed in 1952 meetings between Danish and Norwegian intelligence chiefs.

CIA and NATO Involvement The CIA played a foundational role in Absalon’s creation. Former CIA Director William Colby, who worked in Scandinavia in the 1950s, admitted in his 1978 memoir to setting up stay-behind networks in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The U.S. National Security Council’s 1948 directive authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations, including stay-behind activities, which accelerated after NATO’s formation in 1949. NATO’s Clandestine Planning Committee (CPC), under the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), coordinated these networks, with MI6 and the CIA providing training and funding. In Denmark, Absalon operated with the approval of top government officials, though its secrecy limited parliamentary oversight.

Exposure and Controversy Absalon came to public attention in November 1990, following the exposure of Italy’s Gladio network, which prompted scrutiny of similar operations across Europe. Danish press headlines, such as those in Berlingske Tidende, reported on the group ‘Absalon.’ An unnamed former member confirmed its post-WWII origins. However, Danish politicians and intelligence officials, including former Defense Minister Erling Brondum (1973–1975), denied or downplayed Absalon’s significance, with Brondum claiming ignorance of the name despite referencing it in 1974 parliamentary discussions.

Parliamentary Response: The Danish parliament opted to discuss Absalon behind closed doors, issuing no public report, which fueled suspicions of a cover-up. Defense Minister Hans Engell (1982–1987) provided contradictory statements, calling Absalon’s details “highly classified” while denying its influence, indirectly confirming its existence.

Continued Operations: A 2020 Voltaire Network article alleged that Absalon, supposedly dissolved in 1989, remained active, citing a 1992 agreement between President Bill Clinton and Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen allowing U.S. access to Denmark’s internet infrastructure for NSA spying. This suggests Absalon’s infrastructure may have evolved into modern intelligence operations.

Legacy and Debate Absalon’s secrecy and lack of public documentation have left its history fragmentary, contributing to ongoing debates. Critics, including historians like Daniele Ganser, contend that stay-behind networks like Absalon exceeded their mandate, engaging in domestic surveillance and potentially destabilizing democratic processes, as seen in Gladio’s alleged ties to coups and assassinations in Italy and Turkey. The absence of official records and the Danish government’s reticence have sustained suspicions of undue U.S. influence and erosion of national sovereignty.